HISTORY OF THE PARISH COMMUNITY
I. ORIGINS
It is said that during the religious persecution under Emperor Tự Đức in June 1857, many Catholics sought refuge in this area. Around 1860, when France colonized Vietnam, Mr. Dương Văn Quyến — deputy chief of Bảo Đức district, Bến Tre region — together with seven relatives came here to settle and make a living. As their descendants grew in number, traveling to attend Mass in Bến Tre became too distant, while reaching Sóc Sải was also difficult.
In 1900, Mr. Giuse Mạnh and his wife, Mrs. Maria Lụa (the third younger sister of Mr. Quyến), collaborated to build a church on the land of Deputy Chief Dương Văn Quyến. From that time onward, Tân Lợi Parish Community was officially established (1900).
II. FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT
After the parish community was founded, Mr. Giuse Mạnh visited the parish priest of Bến Tre to request catechism teachers for the faithful. The parish priest of Bến Tre also regularly came to celebrate Mass and administer the sacraments.
In 1905, Father Phước visited the community, purchased additional land to expand the parish, and relocated the church to a newer, more beautiful, stronger, and more spacious site. Father Phước entrusted the care and maintenance of the church to Giuse Dương Văn Tám (younger brother of Mr. Quyến). Later, Mr. and Mrs. Lê Văn Mạnh passed away and were buried in the parish cemetery, where their graves remain today.
From 1960 onward, Tân Phú Parish Community became administratively dependent on Thành Triệu Parish. Father Giuse Nguyễn Văn Bút carried out many renovations and improvements for the parish community.
In 1970, Father Giuse Bút invited Father Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Hiến (assistant priest of Thành Triệu Parish) to reside in and care for Tân Phú Parish Community, as transportation between parish communities was very difficult at that time.
In 1971, Bishop Giacôbê Nguyễn Văn Mầu officially approved Father Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Hiến as the priest in charge of Tân Phú Parish Community.
In 1998, Father Phêrô was transferred to Bến Tre Parish to replace the retired Father Phêrô Tri. Tân Phú Parish Community was then entrusted once again to the care of the parish priest of Thành Triệu.
Through many renovations over the years, Tân Phú Parish Community has become more spacious and brighter. The church now includes a fairly solid and well-equipped rectory and convent house.
III. PRIESTS WHO SERVED THE PARISH
1. Former Parish Priests
- Father Phước (... – 1920)
- Father Phaolô Đàng (1921 – 1930)
- Father Phaolô Hiền (1931 – 1934)
- Father Giuse Năng (1935 – 1938)
- Father Phaolô Duông (1939 – 1942)
- Father Giuse Giỏi (1943 – 1949)
- Father Phaolô Sử (1950 – 1955)
- Father Giuse Nguyễn Văn Bút (1956 – 1969)
- Father Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Hiến (1970 – 1988)
- Father Phêrô Phạm Văn Thuyết (1988 – 2004)
- Father Phêrô Trần Thanh Xuân (2004 – 2007)
2. Current Parish Priests and Assistants (as of 2012)
- Father Phaolô Khổng Đức Ý (1988 – 2012): Parish Priest
- Father Micae Nguyễn Hà Thiện Tâm (2007 – 2012): Assistant Priest
- Father Px. Lê Văn Liêm (2010 – 2012): Assistant Priest
IV. PARISHIONERS AND PARISH ACTIVITIES
- The parish community has approximately 550 parishioners.
- The parish has a Parish Council that collaborates with the parish priest in community activities.
- Church maintenance and catechism teaching are entrusted to a sister from the Lovers of the Holy Cross Congregation of Cái Nhum.
- Holy Mass is celebrated every Sunday and Friday. Additional Masses are held during feast days and solemnities throughout the week.
V. EVALUATION AND FUTURE DIRECTION
Most parishioners live far from the church, making travel difficult. Human resources serving the parish are limited, especially in areas such as the choir and altar servers. The principal activity of the parish community remains the celebration of Holy Mass, with few other notable activities.
The parish aims to strengthen and deepen the faith life of the faithful by maintaining regular catechism classes every Sunday and visiting families in times of need.